The Washington critic., 1887-02-08

4 ho tlulH slDDUGu, un'l lIlB llluTeu
man was taken aboard. He was wholly
insensible, and tho blood gushed freely
from the wound In his head. A slsillful
surgeon who happened 10 be among
the passengers was summoned at once,
and, having seen the young man made
comfortable In n sleeping car, he ex.
amined the confusion.
VIII some one please help me with
these bandagesY'' the doctor asked. "No,
thanks" he added, as gentleman
offered his services. "a lady, please"
He glanced around the car, and his
eyes fell on Sybils calm face, on the
slim, white hands that looked so deft
and agile, and he noted the composure
with which she bore herself, while the
rest of the ladies were nearly all In
semih. .ysterical state.
"Will you hold these bandages,
miss ?" he asked, kindly. "Do you
understand how to do III"
"Oh, yes, SIR" said she, promptly.
My father was doctor. am used
to such work."
The wound was shortly dressed, but
1t was whole day before the young
stranger awoke from the stupor occa.
stoned by his fall, and then Ii was only
to pass into state of dclirium.
"Do you know who he Is 2" the doc.
tor asked Sybil, who had been installed
by common consent as the sick man s
nurse.
This dropped out of his pocket"
she replied, handing him business
card. 81 think that Is his name, as his
baggage is marked with those initials"
The doctor read: "Robert Vincent &
Co., commission merchants, New
York"
HE had narrow escape" he oh.
served, handing the card back to
Sybil. "a little more force would
have crushed his skull like q nut.
SHE'LL"
A new interest suddenly awakened
for Sybil.
II wonder what Louise will say when
she hears that | have been playing
nurse?" she pondered on the day fol-
lowing the assumption of her new
duties. Poor fellowl am sorry for
him."
At Cheyenne, happily for the sick
man, the train was delayed two days
by landslide. During the interval of
quiet and rest the doctor succeeded In
breaking his fever, and on the fourth
day after the accident Mr.. Vincent
opened his eyes In weak astonishment
as his returning consciousness dis.
cerned In his faithful attendant the
| handsome young lady with whom he
had tried SO assiduously to ilirt.
He felt too weak from the shock and
from the loss of blood to ask any
questions, but Sybil OWNED his won.
der and she explained to him the details
of his accident, with gentle grace as
charming as her former reserve had
been admirable.
Nothing could have been prcttier
than Sybils devotion to the uufortu-
nate stranger, and the other passengers
seemed TO appreciate 1t, for they held
| aloof and were content with being
| merely spectators. She waited on him
with persevering devotion. 1t was
SYPHILIS way to do that. She read to
him, or, when he wished 1t, talked to
him. The presence of an invalid
seemed to infuse home feeling into
the life aboard the train, and when the
weeks journey was protracted by vari-
GUS obstacles to ten days no one com.
planned.
Before they reached San Francisco
| Mr.. Vincent was able to sit up. 1t
would take some time for the wound to
heal, but he had recovered pretty well
from the shock. In the opinion OF
some of the passengers he was not alto
| gether anxious for immediate GONZALES.
cence, which was hardly to be Won
dered at; and really think Sybil felt q
twinge Of regret as she sat the last
evening beside Mr.. Vincent's couch
and listened to q party of gentlemen
warbling Swiss air out on the 'front.'
platform. 1t was twilight, and the
porter had not yet come in to light the
| lamps.
Don't you think, Miss Sybil," Mr..
Vincent said, In low voice, chat
faster than others? / feel as though
had known you for years, yet | cannot
tell you what your last name Is. The
doctor calls you just Miss Sybil.
81 thought you knew" she said,
simply, ignoring his first question,
which had sent strange thrill to her
heart. MY name is Travers."
"What?' he almost shouted. "What
did you say 2
"Travers," she repeated, looking at
MIN surprised.
He sank back on the cushions help.
lessly, and, turning his face toward
her, he murmured: "Kismet !"
"Do you know" he continued,
after pause, which Sybil felt to be
pregnant with meaning, "do you
know, we have been as badly mixed
up as to our identities as the people in
play. / had no idea you were Miss
Travers. Your Uncle jerry"
"Do you know my Uncle Jerry p
she cried, in surprise.
| II ought to-" he replied, with au
odd smile, II am-Sybil, do You ever
forgive people who practice little de-
ceits upon you?"
The familiar manner of this address
did not offend her, strange to say.
"That depends" she said, closely
"What would you say If I were to
tell you that my name wasn't Vincent
at allG"
lie had contrived to get hold of her
hand, and he felt 1t flutter slightly, but
she made no response.
81 do not know what led you TO be.
lieve that my name was Vincent, AT first
/ could not correct the impression, and,
when was able, didn't care to, for |
was so pleased with our relation that
feared TO do anything that might jar
upon 1t. 1t is all the worse for me
now, for fear this deceit may have
preiudiced you. i am your uncle's
friend, Sybil. am Royal Valleau."
1t was her turn to start In astonish.
ment. She suatched her hand away
from him, but he secured II again.
"Don'tl' he pleaded, in low tone.
Forgive me You have made me
love you and you must not be so cruel